In a dramatic turn of events just days before the playoffs, the Denver Nuggets have fired head coach Mike Malone—and superstar center Nikola Jokic had a front-row seat to it all.

Sources reported that the decision came as a surprise to no one, including Jokic, who was informed of Malone’s ousting by the Nuggets’ president, Josh Kroenke. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Jokic ‘understood’ the move, acknowledging that the franchise was in a precarious position.

Although the Nuggets hold a solid 47-32 record and are set to enter the postseason for the seventh consecutive year, the team has been showing signs of strain. Malone’s firing comes on the heels of an apparent rift with general manager Calvin Booth, who had his own contract issues looming over the franchise. Sources claim the atmosphere had turned tense, with Malone and Booth facing what insiders dubbed a 'cold war'. This friction likely contributed to the Nuggets’ alarming four-game losing streak and a dismal 11-13 record since the All-Star break.

Players, including Jokic, have reportedly been visibly frustrated during games, reflecting a general unease within the locker room. The Nuggets' lackluster defensive performance has come under fire, with their ranking plummeting to 20th in the league. League sources confirmed that tensions had been building among the players over issues surrounding defensive effort and overall gameplay.

Further complicating matters, disagreements between Malone and Booth spiraled beyond typical coaching dynamics. The two clashed over everything from roster strategies to player utilization—Booth’s push for more playing time for younger players stood in stark contrast to Malone's reliance on veterans. As the situation reached its breaking point, Jokic and his teammates likely sensed that change was imminent.

In a season filled with surprising moves, the firing of a coach with Malone's caliber just days before the playoffs is nearly unprecedented. This year has already seen its fair share of jaw-dropping decisions, from the shock of the Luka Dončić trade to the abrupt dismissal of Memphis Grizzlies’ head coach Taylor Jenkins. It seems the NBA is set ablaze earlier than usual this offseason, and fans are left wondering what’s next.